Editorial September 25, 1915 Issue

"Heal the sick"

Archibald McLellan

Notwithstanding the belief of many religious persons, and the continued assertions of many religious leaders, that the healing works which Christ Jesus and the disciples and apostles performed at the beginning of the Christian era were intended only for a limited time and for a limited purpose, the question of spiritual healing will not down in the churches. The faith which found expression in the psalmist's words, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble," has continually turned mankind to the Father for help in sickness and distress.

That this faith has not always been rewarded, has been a stumbling-block to many deeply religious people and has had much to do with the forming of that great mass of humanity so frequently and almost flippantly described by social and religious reformers as the "unchurched" portion of the world. The fact is that many of these people are "unchurched" simply because the churches have not met their needs, others through force of example, but not a few because of a feeling that without spiritual healing the churches are failing to supply a vital necessity of their members. Occasionally we find an instance where the religious leaders are recognizing these demands and striving to comply with them, and a typical example of this was recently shown in the proceedings reported in the Wellington (New Zealand) Evening Post of July 10, as follows:—

"The deliberations of the Anglican Synod were continued in St. Paul's Schoolroom, Sydney street, yesterday afternoon. Bishop Sprott presided.

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